For radio deejay and host Germaine Tan, jewellery is more than ornament—it’s memory made tangible. Her collection is filled with treasures that reflect her most meaningful experiences, each piece a link to the people and milestones that have shaped her life.
That connection goes back to her earliest memories. “Jewellery, to me, always carried this unspoken meaning of family, love, and stories passed down,” she reflects.
Growing up in a family who shared her passion for beautiful pieces, Tan learnt early that jewellery can hold deep sentimental value and serve as a way to keep memories alive.
These days, her style leans towards understated, dainty designs for every day, but when a special moment arises, she isn’t afraid to let a bold, statement piece take centre stage. Sometimes, an entire outfit revolves around a single jewel.
“There are days when I fall in love with a particular piece—maybe a ring or a necklace—and then everything else I wear has to work around it,” she says. Yet sentiment remains paramount. “Style might be what draws you to a piece, but sentiment is what makes you hold onto it forever. Most of my favourite pieces are gifts from loved ones, and that emotional connection makes them priceless.”
Recently, one jewel has taken on profound new meaning: her engagement ring. In a scene straight out of a film, her fiancé, Andrew Li, proposed on a private sandbank in the Maldives, beneath a glowing sunset.
“It’s not just a ring,” Tan says. “It’s a testament to how well he knows me, and everything we’ve built together.” Ahead, Tan shares her journey with jewellery, from her earliest memories to the special story behind her engagement ring.
GRAZIA Singapore (GS): Is jewellery more about sentimental value or style value for you?
Germaine Tan (GT): I think it’s a balance, but sentiment always wins. Style might be what draws you to a piece, but sentiment is what makes you hold onto it forever. Most of my favourite pieces are gifts from loved ones, and that emotional connection makes them priceless. Even now, when I wear something sentimental, it feels less like accessorising and more like carrying a piece of my history with me.
GS: How has your taste in jewellery evolved over the years, and who has influenced it the most?
GT: It’s definitely evolved. My parents really shaped my love for jewellery—we’ve always been a little obsessed with diamonds. These days, I lean towards dainty, minimal pieces with just a touch of sparkle.
GS: Do you think a diamond’s meaning comes more from the stone itself, or the story behind it?
GT: Always the story. A diamond without a story is just a rock. The moment it’s given with love, it becomes priceless.
GS: Congratulations on your engagement! Can you tell us how Andrew proposed?
GT: It felt like something straight out of a rom-com. We were on a private sandbank in the Maldives, with this beautiful golden sunset. Andrew has such a way with words, and I was already crying by the time he popped the question.
GS: Beyond its design, what does your engagement ring mean to you?
GT: It’s a daily reminder of the love, patience, and hard work we’ve put into our relationship—all the good times, the challenges, and the promise of building an even bigger life together.
GS: Looking back, what’s the moment from the proposal you’ll never forget?
GT: Ironically, the most memorable part was when a surprise thunderstorm crashed our dinner. We had to escape by speedboat through the rain, laughing the whole way back. We ended up eating dessert in our room, just the two of us—which felt so perfectly us: romantic, chaotic, and full of joy.
Photography Jaya Khidir
Creative Direction Kelly Hsu and Marisa Xin
Styling Kelly Hsu
Hair and Makeup Kat Zhang / The Suburbs Studio using Dior Beauty and Goldwell Singapore
Nails Ann Lim using CND
Photography Assistant Amirul Fazaile
About Diamond2
Diamond2 creates lab-grown diamonds and other gemstones similar to mined ones in terms of brilliance, fire, and durability. Ethically crafted without the environmental impact of mining, each diamond offers consistent quality and timeless beauty. Designed by a Milan-based team, the brand brings modern, sustainable elegance to fine and high jewellery.
Diamond2 is located at Wisma Atria (435 Orchard Rd, #02-06/07, Singapore 238877) and VivoCity (1 HarbourFront Walk, #01-05, Singapore 098585).
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